You know one of my new year resolutions was to come here more often for support.
So far am doing better than any other year in responding to posts and putting up my own.
As you can see I've been a member here since 2004 but haven't posted much.
I really thought I'd get well quickly and then over the years was to ill or emotional to come here regularly.
Well, over the years my support has dwindled down to my black lab Rocky, my LLMD and this website.
So really you guys here are it for me. My friends and family.
I've learned that my real friends and family can't understand what's going on and don't think that I'm really that ill.
Just this past Christmas my mother and sister informed me that me and my sister-in-law will have to cook the holiday dinners.
Hah! Fat chance! Somedays I eat junk for meals because it's all I can manage.
The Christmas before I didn't even show up because I was too ill. I spent Christmas alone with my dog. I don't believe I even ate that day.
Another Christmas that I was there I layed on the couch the whole time and didn't eat that time either.
I've been told repeatedly by my family that I can take care of myself and they very rarely call and check on me.
They live about 30 miles away from me and haven't been here very often.
For example, my mother has been to my home 2 times since 2000 when I moved here from Alaska.
My brother has never been here. And other family members sporadically.
So, needless to say, you all here at Lymenet have become my lifeline.
I'm sure there are others here in the same boat.
Prolonged illness has a way of weeding out those who truly love and care about you.
I'm surprised to come to the realization that a website could come to mean so much to me, but it has.
What would I do without you guys???
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
I have only been here on Lymenet since May 07
but I have made so many friends here and from Lyme in general. I am grateful to have met such a nice, brave, tough group of people.
You have saved me more than once.
Now if we can all just get better we can have a great big party! (I will host ok?)
Lots of Lymie Love Melissa
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
Thanks Merrygirl! Let me go dig out my dancing shoes for that party!!!
Posted by MaryL (Member # 11997) on :
Wow. Sorry to hear your support system has dwindled so much.
Do you have any support groups in your area? It might help to see somebody face-to-face, too.
My husband's family doesn't want to hear anything about Lyme & poo-poos everything we say about it. But my family has some Lymies in it. I notice the non-Lymies don't have a clue & aren't inclined to want to listen.
I don't know what I would do without a support system. Come back often just to chat.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Lymenet has helped me more than you can imagine!!!
Hang in there, wolf~!! Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
This is my family. I am rich, rich, rich in friends,
Unconditional love and support here.
You are too.
You can never have too many people love or care about you.
Who said they had to be genetically related?
Hang in there.
Sending you positive thoughts and prayers.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
GENEAL said it so well, DITTO!
yes, I am blessed just like you are!
have a wonderful, supportive husband, and 3 "i don't want to learn anything about lyme" brothers and nieces/nephews!
TUTU also said it well; YOU folks are my support group system, and I relish you, and ALL THE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!
wolf,
it really stinks when family lives within 30 miles, and won't even drop in to HELP you or bring a meal!
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
Hey Wolfie*)!!!
Over time some of my best friends have become Lymies from our local support group- and I truly, truly adore them!!!
ANyone who can make it to San Francisco next October, I am pretty darn sure we're going to have a one-day Patient & Activist Conference the day pre-ILADS. So start saving your money*)!!! Wwe can all have coffee & then go throw flowers at the feet of our LLMDs*)!*)!!
Sincerely, Sarah
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
Thank you all so very, very much.
Am teary-eyed and grateful for all the responses.
I'm leaning toward hanging in there for all I'm worth too! Thanks for the reminder.
I never dreamed that the majority of my sympathetic human contact would be via Internet.
Who would've thought???
After reading these responses today I don't feel so alone.
It's hard to be so ill, especially on the really bad days and have no contact.
It'd be great to be able to come to CA. I haven't been since the 60's. Was born in Monterey.
Been fortunate enough to have met some of the Lymies here on Lymenet at a 'support mission'. LOL!!
Am really touched by all the responses. Thanks!
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Hey there Little wolf...
Nice to see you on board again!
Sorry you are having troubles... but glad you have reached out. You know you have been such a comfort to me over the years... and I am sure you will be helping the new folks arriving every day.
We are lucky indeed to have you here!
Love ya!
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
Right back at ya TC!
Posted by lymeladyinNY (Member # 10235) on :
I relate oh so well. I moved 300 miles to be closer to family for their "support".
Guess who I never see? And I have 8 siblings and tons of cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, etc.!
Even when I was at my worst - practically paralyzed from the neck down with a baby, a 3-year-old, and a 5-year-old with Down syndrome to care for - not many in my family called or cared to help.
The only way I got through that time was my one sister who helped me a lot even though her husband was giving her a hard time about it, and my mother-in-law, with whom me and the kids lived. She helped with the kids but she was mean, miserable, and rotten to me. She told me I was a faker and that I was trying to ruin her son's life. Uggh, I hate to even think about that awful time!
My husband still lived and worked 300 miles away at the time.
I've gotten to the point where I actually prefer to be alone. It's just too exhausting to try to have a "real" life.
So, yes, Lymenet has been a lifeline for me, too. I can respond as energy allows, read what others in a similar situation as me are doing, and get understanding like I can from no other source.
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